October 13, 2014

Lk 11: 29-32

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!

Signs from God

Do we live as if we have seen a miraculous sign from heaven?

In today’s reading we see Jesus reprimanding those who had seen great signs and yet refused to change their lives. The generation he is speaking to had already been privy to numerous miracles. Jesus had healed the sick and lame. He fed 5,000 with nothing more than a few loaves of bread and a few fish. He changed water to wine and even walked on water to calm his anxious friends. Yet still, we are told, they wanted more. They wanted one more over-the-top sign to be sure that Jesus was who he said he was, the son of God.

Are we like that generation wanting constant reassurance, or do we live as if we have seen miraculous signs? We are invited to trust in the goodness all around us. If we look hard at this goodness: the beauty of nature; the love between a parent and child; forgiveness bestowed on someone who has done something unforgivable; if we dwell on these things, then we will certainly see the sign of God’s love within and among us. And isn’t the news of this love, which Jesus announced as the Kingdom of God, what he lived, died and rose to share with us?

What goodness can I notice today? What miraculous events can I trace back to God?

—Judy Henry McMullan earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (formerly Weston Jesuit School of Theology). She currently works as a Pastoral Care Minister at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, MA

Prayer

Together We Pray:
O Gracious, gentle Spirit of Love,
your energy permeates the Universe,
igniting Earth with
your Goodness, Truth and Beauty.
Open our minds and hearts
to a deeper awareness
of our inter-connectedness with You,
each other and all creation.
May we experience
your unique presence
within the sacred web of creation.

—Author Unknown

Please share the Good Word with your friends!

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October 13, 2014

Lk 11: 29-32

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!

Signs from God

Do we live as if we have seen a miraculous sign from heaven?

In today’s reading we see Jesus reprimanding those who had seen great signs and yet refused to change their lives. The generation he is speaking to had already been privy to numerous miracles. Jesus had healed the sick and lame. He fed 5,000 with nothing more than a few loaves of bread and a few fish. He changed water to wine and even walked on water to calm his anxious friends. Yet still, we are told, they wanted more. They wanted one more over-the-top sign to be sure that Jesus was who he said he was, the son of God.

Are we like that generation wanting constant reassurance, or do we live as if we have seen miraculous signs? We are invited to trust in the goodness all around us. If we look hard at this goodness: the beauty of nature; the love between a parent and child; forgiveness bestowed on someone who has done something unforgivable; if we dwell on these things, then we will certainly see the sign of God’s love within and among us. And isn’t the news of this love, which Jesus announced as the Kingdom of God, what he lived, died and rose to share with us?

What goodness can I notice today? What miraculous events can I trace back to God?

—Judy Henry McMullan earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (formerly Weston Jesuit School of Theology). She currently works as a Pastoral Care Minister at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, MA

Prayer

Together We Pray:
O Gracious, gentle Spirit of Love,
your energy permeates the Universe,
igniting Earth with
your Goodness, Truth and Beauty.
Open our minds and hearts
to a deeper awareness
of our inter-connectedness with You,
each other and all creation.
May we experience
your unique presence
within the sacred web of creation.